How To Style a Chic Galentine’s Day Brunch

As soon as stores swipe the tinsel off the shelves, it’s replaced by heart-shaped boxes and all things bright red and pink. When it comes to Saint Valentine’s Day, there are people who love it, others who passionately hate it, and those who remain indifferent to the romance and expectations of the day.

Admittedly, I have dabbled in the indifference category for several years now. I normally love any excuse to celebrate. But Valentine’s Day plans often come with too much pressure to be over-the-top extravagant.

This year I’m taking a new route and looking at the occasion through a new set of rose-colored glasses. The day of love shouldn’t be limited to romantic relationships — why not take a day to celebrate the women in your life by hosting a Galentine’s Day brunch? We’ve got ideas on how to host an elegant brunch that your group won’t soon forget.

Muted pinks and greys add a laid back and sweet ambiance to the room. Image: House of Five

Take a muted path to your color scheme

Millennial pink is the perfect color to build the details of your décor and color scape around. Taking a turn away from the bright reds and pinks usually associated with the holiday adds an unexpected element.

Add elegant birthday candles

Who says birthday candles have to be reserved for once a year? We love the essence of minimalism and festivity that tall birthday candles bring to a batch of cupcakes or otherwise plainly decorated cake for dessert. Try grouping them together in the middle of a full-sized cake, or stick to using just one in the middle of each cupcake or layer cake.

Keep floral arrangements short, sweet and plentiful

Sweet petals add a soft texture and some often much-needed color to tablescapes. Rather than opting for a large arrangement, try putting short vases of blooms along the table and around your apartment to spread the cheery blooms.

This balloon-covered ceiling is a sweet surprise for all. Image: Lenzo

Transform a room with matte balloons

One of my favorite party decorations of the moment is large, matte balloons. They’re celebratory enough to transform corners and doorways, but simple enough they don’t look out of place. Try tying a group of these matte beauties at different heights to create a fuller-looking bunch.

If ever there were a time to cover everything with frosting, fruit and rose petals, it would be for Galentine’s Day. Image: Gal Meets Glam

All the desserts

We may be opting for a more modern take on everything else for this brunch, but Valentine’s Day is the sugariest holiday … and your Galentine’s brunch should be no exception. For this brunch, however, let’s bypass the flavorless candy hearts and sour suckers. Instead, indulge in over-decorating those cupcakes and buy the specialty macarons from that bakery down the street from your office.

Try a new take on February 14th this year. Opt for something more modern and elegant than the usual drugstore décor and shift your focus from stressing about relationships and grand gestures to enjoying time with the best women in your life and popping some bubbly.